Suitcase

ABSTRACT

The technology concerns a suitcase. More particularly the disclosure is directed to a collapsible suitcase.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is concerned with a suitcase. More particularly the disclosure is directed to a collapsible suitcase.

BACKGROUND ART

References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:

-   -   WO2017/064739     -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,706,821     -   US2015/0250277     -   CN20725252998     -   DE202008006727     -   CN202514796

Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

BACKGROUND

WO2017/064739 discloses a suitcase with collapsible structure, capable of assuming an expanded configuration of normal use and a collapsed configuration, comprising: a front shell provided with a perimetral edge; a rear shell provided with a perimetral edge that can be associated to the edge of the front side; a perimetral side for distancing said front and rear shells, comprising a plurality of distancing walls defined between a first edge that in the configuration of use extends at the edge of the front shell and a second edge that extends at the edge of the rear shell, said walls being connected by foldable articulated angular portions; a first reversible linear joining element for connecting at least one stretch of the first edge of the side to at least one stretch of the edge of the front shell; and a second reversible linear joining element for connecting at least one stretch of the second edge of the side to at least one stretch of the edge of the rear shell; wherein at least one wall of the side is provided with at least one intermediate folding line orthogonal to the edges of the side, said suitcase being characterized in that: said side comprises a wall defined by a first side that can be articulated along a stretch of articulation with respect to a side of the edge of the front shell and a second side that can be articulated along a stretch of articulation with respect to a side of the edge of the rear shell; and said wall comprises a first intermediate articulation line comprised between and parallel to said articulation stretches of the wall.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,706,821 discloses a suitcase structure, comprising: a back case component; a front lid component; and a ring-shaped gusset component, wherein the opposite sides of the ring-shaped gusset component are connected with the edge of the back case component and the edge of the front lid component respectively, so as to form an accommodation space configured for being closed, the ring-shaped gusset component comprises a plurality of sidewall portions and a plurality of flexible structures linking the sidewall portions, each of the flexible structures extends from the edge of the ring-shaped gusset component connected to the back case component towards the edge of the ring-shaped gusset component connected to the front lid component, the flexible deformation capability of the flexible structures is greater than the flexible deformation capability of the sidewall portions, each of the flexible structures has an inclination, the inclination is formed and maintained between each of the flexible structures and the edge of the ring-shaped gusset component connected to the back case component, the width of each of the flexible structures decreases gradually from the place near the back case component along a direction away from the back case component, and two of the sidewall portions adjacent to each other can be bent and therefore be stacked opposite to each other by the flexible structures linking the two of the sidewall portions.

US2015/0250277 discloses a collapsible suitcase comprising a front section; a back section; and a collapsible wall section connected to the front section and the back section, the wall section including at least three stacked, generally annular tiers; the collapsible wall section, front section, and back section cooperating to enclose a storage volume; at least one of the collapsible wall section tiers being stiff; and at least two of said tiers being relatively flexible and configured to fold and unfold between relatively expanded and relatively collapsed positions while the stiff tier remains substantially upright, including at least one flexible tier disposed to the front of the stiff tier and at least one flexible tier disposed to the rear of the stiff tier.

CN20725252998U discloses a folding suitcase includes a support frame, a tie rod, and a box body, wherein the box body comprises a box cover, a box body, and a box bottom. The support frame is fixedly connected with the bottom of the box, the box body is divided into two opposite parts, and the parts of the box body are respectively passed through the support frame. The sleeve assembly b is movably connected, and the pull rod is movably connected with the support frame through the sleeve assembly a, and the box body is disposed between the box body and the box cover. The zipper I is provided with a zipper II between adjacent boxes, and a zipper III is provided on the outer periphery of the box bottom.

DE202008006727 discloses a suitcase consisting of two identically constructed shells having similar shape however with different sizes.

CN202514796 discloses a contractile luggage comprising a shell top and a shell bottom and is characterized in that a folding rubber structure is arranged between the shell top and the shell bottom, and a zipper is arranged between the folding rubber structure and the shell bottom.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

In an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a suitcase comprising a back shell and a front shell, both said front shell and said back shell being made of a rigid material; the back shell is configured with a substantially flat back base and a perimetric back wall extending upwards therefrom and the front shell is configured with a substantially flat front base and a perimetric front wall extending upwards therefrom; a flexible perimetric closed-loop side wall of the suitcase is attached along one of a back edge and a front edge of the flexible perimetric side wall to one of a perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall and a perimetric edge of the perimetric front wall, respectively, with the other one of the back edge and the front edge of the flexible perimetric side wall being articulated to an articulation portion of the other of the perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall and perimetric edge of the perimetric front wall; the flexible perimetric side wall comprising a sliding closure (e.g. a zipper fastener) along a reclosable portion that extends along the edge of the flexible perimetric side wall that is articulated via the articulation portion, the sliding closure extending along said entire edge of the flexible perimetric side wall excluding the articulation portion; the suitcase is configurable between an expanded position and a collapsed position, wherein at the collapsed position the perimetric front wall accommodates the perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall and wherein the thickness of the suitcase at the collapsed position corresponds with a height of the back shell and a thickness of the front base.

For sake of clarity, the terms ‘front shall’ and ‘back shell’, and elements associated therewith, are used to distinguish between the two suitcase shells, however said shells being interchangeable.

According to a particular embodiment, the front shell is larger than the back shell, and at the collapsed position at least a portion of the perimetric back wall is enveloped by the perimetric front wall, giving rise to a space extending between an inside face of the back base and an inside face the front base, said space having a height substantially corresponding with a height of the perimetric back wall, and further wherein at the collapsed position said space accommodates the perimetric side wall.

The expanded position gives rise to a storage space, having extended space extending between inside face of the back base and an inside face the front base, with the perimetric side wall fully expanded, said storage space having a thickens corresponding with the accumulated height of the perimetric back wall with the height of the perimetric front wall and the width of the perimetric side wall.

At least a bottom portion of the of the perimetric side wall can be configured with a support mechanism for imparting said bottom portion rigidity and stability.

The support mechanism, according to one example, can be a support board. According to another example, the support mechanism can be an array of foldable support beams. According to yet an example, the support mechanism can be a set of foldable panels deployable into a rigid support structure.

One or more rigid support boards can be articulated at inside portions of the back shell, wherein at the expanded position said one or more rigid support boards can be disposed flush against corresponding portions of the perimetric side wall.

A rigid bottom support board can extend at least at a bottom base of the suitcase, and be configured such that at the collapsed position said bottom support board is disposed substantially parallel to the back base, and at the expanded position said bottom support board can be disposed substantially normal to the back wall and flush against a corresponding bottom portion of the perimetric side wall.

At least one additional support board can be configured at a top base of the suitcase, such that at the collapsed position said additional support board is disposed substantially parallel to the back base, and at the expanded position said support board can be disposed substantially normal to the back wall and flush against a corresponding top portion of the perimetric side wall.

At the expanded position the one or more support boards reinforce the flexible perimetric side wall and impart the suitcase, at the expanded position, with stability.

At the collapsed position the perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall substantially bears against the inside face of front base.

According to an example, the flexible perimetric side wall is attached along the back edge thereof to the perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall and the front edge of the flexible perimetric side wall being articulated through the articulation portion to the perimetric edge of the perimetric front wall, the front edge of the perimetric side wall comprising said sliding closure (e.g. zipper fastener); said sliding closure comprises a front zipper tape configured at the perimetric edge of perimetric front wall and a back zipper tape configured at the front edge of the perimetric side wall.

According to another example, the flexible perimetric side wall is attached along the front edge thereof to the perimetric edge of the perimetric front wall and the back edge of the flexible perimetric side wall being articulated through the articulation portion to the perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall, the back edge of the perimetric side wall comprising said sliding closure (e.g. zipper fastener); said sliding closure comprises a back zipper tape configured at the perimetric edge of perimetric back wall and a front zipper tape configured at the back edge of the perimetric side wall.

Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be applied to a suitcase according to the present disclosure, separately or in various combinations thereof:

-   -   A planar footprint of the front shell is slightly greater than a         planar footprint of the back shell;     -   The perimetric side wall is a flexible wall of the suitcase,         that at the collapsed position of the suitcase is folded inwards         into the space extending between an inside face of the back base         and an inside face the front base;     -   The back or front edge of the perimetric side wall can be         attached to the perimetric edge of the perimetric back or front         wall, respectively, by one or more of stitching, adhering,         integrated molding (i.e. the edge of the perimetric side wall         that does not comprise the sliding closure);     -   The front zipper tape can be attached to the perimetric edge of         the perimetric wall by one or more of stitching, adhering,         integrated molding;     -   At least a pair of rear wheels can be articulated near a rear         bottom portion of the back shell;     -   An additional pair of front wheels can be articulated near a         front bottom portion of the front shell;     -   The wheels can be fixed, roller wheels or swivel wheels;     -   At the collapsed position the pair of rear wheels can be rotated         into a receiving depression configured at an outside face of the         back base, wherein said rear wheels substantially do not project         form said outside face;     -   A base of the wheels can be disposed at the inside face of the         back base, said base being lower than the height of the         perimetric back wall;     -   A handle can be configured at least at one location of the         perimetric side wall, said handle being stored within the space         at the collapsed position;     -   The one or more support boards can be detachably attachable at         portions thereof to an inside face of the corresponding the         perimetric side wall;     -   Attachment of the support boards to inside face of the         corresponding the perimetric side wall can be facilitated         through a detachable fastening mechanism; for example, a         detachable fastening mechanism can be hook and pile fastener         (Velcro™), snap fasteners, etc.;     -   The one or more support boards can be articulated to the back         shell near a perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall;     -   The suitcase can be configured with a telescopic handle         mechanism, said telescopic handle mechanism configurable between         a retracted position and an extended position, the telescopic         handle mechanism comprising one or more telescopic rods disposed         flush with the back base, and a handle which at the collapsed         position is stowed within a depression configured at a top base         of the back shell;     -   The one or more telescopic rods can be received within         longitudinal recesses configures at an outside face of the back         base;     -   The one or more telescopic rods can be fully received within the         longitudinal recesses and substantially do not project from an         outside face of the back base;     -   The one or more telescopic rods can be attached to an inside         face of the back base, and projecting through an opening at a         top base of the back base;     -   The longitudinal recesses are disposed within the space defined         at the collapsed position therefrom;     -   One or more ground support pieces can be configured at one or         more locations of the perimetric side wall, near front edge         portions thereof;     -   One or more ground supports can be configured at an external         surface of one or more of the perimetric front wall, and the         perimetric back wall and the perimetric side wall;     -   The height of the perimetric side wall can be extended by a         zipper.     -   The suitcase can be any of any size. According to one         configuration the suitcase is an on-board/carry-on trolley,         complying with cabin baggage size regulations;     -   The perimetric side wall can be any flexible material, such as         fabrics, organic or synthetic materials, rubber, reinforced         fabrics, etc.;     -   The back shell and the front shell can be made from any         non-pliable material, such as polymeric resins, composite         materials, various combinations of such materials, etc.;     -   The suitcase can be configured with storage compartments; the         storage compartments can be internal or external.     -   A space divider can be configured within the space;     -   Straps can be provided for supporting articles received within         the expanded storage space;     -   An strap can be provided for maintaining the suitcase at a most         compact collapsed position;     -   The inside face of the one or both of the back shell and the         front shell can be configured with a liner.     -   The suitcase can be collapsed into its collapsed position also         when the zipper is closed;     -   One or both the front base and the back base can comprise one or         more closable openings; the one or more closable openings can         facilitate access into the space of the suitcase. Such closable         openings can be in addition or instead a fastener at the         perimetric side wall.     -   Either or both the front base and the back base can comprise one         or more soft portions. Said soft portions can be integrated with         the rigid shell or they can be applied thereto by a closure         system, e.g. a zipper fastener, facilitating access to the         inside space of the suitcase;     -   The suitcase can comprise straps for tightening the suitcase at         its collapsed potion;     -   The suitcase can comprise straps for carrying the suitcase in a         backpack-like fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of the suitcase subject of an example of the present disclosure, at a collapsed position;

FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a side view of the suitcase of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the suitcase at its expanded position;

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a side view of the suitcase of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D is a back side view of the suitcase of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2E is a front side view of the suitcase of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2F is a top side view of the suitcase of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a cross section taken along line 3A-3A in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3B is a cross section taken along line 3B-3B in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3C is a cross section taken along line 3C-3C in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3D is a cross section taken along line 3D-3D in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 3E is a cross section taken along line 3E-3E in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 4A is a longitudinal section taken along line 4A-4A in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 4B is a cross section taken along line 4B-4B in FIG. 2B;

FIG. 4C is a section at the level of line 4C-4C in FIG. 2E;

FIG. 4D is a perspective longitudinal section of the suitcase through a telescopic support rod, along line 4D-4D in FIG. 2D;

FIG. 5A illustrates deploying a top support board and a bottom support board into their extended position;

FIG. 5B illustrated the suitcase at its expanded, fully open position;

FIG. 6 illustrates another example of the suitcase, fully opened at its expanded position, with four support boards deployed;

FIG. 7A is a local section along line 7A-7A in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7B is an enlargement of the portion marked 7B in FIG. 7A; and

FIG. 8 illustrates the suitcase at its expanded position, at an upright position, with the telescopic handle at its extracted position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is made to the annexed drawings showing an example of a collapsible suitcase according to this disclosure, generally designated 10, deployable between a collapsed position (FIGS. 1A-1C and 3A to 3E), and an expanded position (FIGS. 2A to 2F and 4A to 8).

The suitcase 10 comprises a back shell 12 and a front shell 14, both shells 12 and 14 made of a non-pliable, rigid material, such as molded polymeric resins, composite materials etc. The back shell 12 is configured with a substantially flat back base 18 and a perimetric back wall 20 extending upwards therefrom. The front shell 14 is configured with a substantially flat front base 24 and a perimetric front wall 26 extending upwards therefrom.

A flexible perimetric side wall 30 of the suitcase is made of flexible material such as fabric, synthetic materials e.g. flexible plastic, rubber, etc., with or without reinforcements, is attached, e.g. by stitching, welding, adhering, etc., in this specific example, along a back edge 32 thereof to a perimetric edge 34 of the perimetric back wall 20, with a front edge 38 of the perimetric side wall 30 articulated to a perimetric edge 40 of the perimetric front wall 26 at articulation portion 27 (better seen in FIGS. 5A-6), and the front edge 38 of the perimetric side wall 30 is engageable with the perimetric edge 40 of the perimetric front wall 26 by a zipper fastener 42 (FIGS. 2A to 2C) extending along the entire front edge 38 excluding the articulation portion 27. The zipper fastener 42 comprising a front zipper tape 44 attached to the perimetric edge 40 of perimetric front wall 26, and a back zipper tape configured at the front edge 38 of the perimetric side wall 30 (said back zipper tape can be integral with or integrated with the front edge 38 of the perimetric side wall 30). A pair of zipper pull tabs 45 is provided, for closing/opening the zipper 42. It is noted that although the specific example refers to articulation of the flexible perimetric side wall 30 to the perimetric front wall 26 of the front shell, this is but a mere example; it is to be understood that this disclosure also encompasses alternative arrangements in which the flexible perimetric side wall can be articulated to the perimetric back wall by via an articulation portion and a zipper arrangement located at the perimetric edge of the back perimetric wall.

Whilst not illustrated, the suitcase can be configured with an expansion mechanism, by configuring a zipper over a flexible gusset portion at the perimetric side wall 30, whereby opening said zipper enlarges the width of the perimetric side wall 30, and closing said zipper contracts the perimetric side wall 30.

It is appreciated that one or both the front base 24 and the back base 18 can comprise one or more closable openings (not shown), wherein the one or more closable openings can facilitate access into the space of the suitcase. Such closable openings can be in addition or instead a fastener at the perimetric side wall.

Either or both the front base and the back base can comprise one or more soft portions (not shown). Said soft portions can be integrated with the rigid shell or they can be applied thereto by a closure system, e.g. a zipper fastener, facilitating access to the inside space of the suitcase

A pair of wheels 48 is articulated at a bottom portion of the back shell 12, said wheels 48 can be free swivel wheels or roller wheels, with a flat support base 50 comprising an outside portion 50A and an inside portion 50B, the latter fixedly disposed within the suitcase, as will be discussed hereinafter.

The suitcase is further configured with a telescopic handle disposed at the back shell 12, said handle comprising, in the present example, two telescopic rods 60 (e.g. seen in FIGS. 1B, 2B, 2D) and a handle 62 disposed at the top end of the telescopic rods. The telescopic handle is manipulable between a retracted position (FIGS. 1B, 2B, 2D, etc.) and an extracted position (FIG. 8) used for rolling along the suitcase 10. The arrangement is such that at the retracted position of the telescopic handle, the handle 62 is received within a depression 64 at a top back face of the back shell 12, thus it does not project above and behind the surface of the back shell 12. Likewise, the telescopic rods 60 are each received within a support guide tube 63 which in turn is fixedly secured within a longitudinal recess 65 at the back base 18, such that the guide tubes 63 are flush with the back surface of the back base 18 (i.e. the recesses project at an inside face 19 of the back base 18).

As an alternative (not shown), the guide tubes can be configured at the inside face 19 of the back base 18, with the telescopic rods extending through a suitable opening at the top portion of the perimetric back wall 20 of back base 18.

Further noted, the perimetric side wall 30 is configured at a top portion thereof with a carrying handle 31 and with a side carrying handle 33 (FIG. 8). Said carrying handles can be made of pliable material or they can be rigid. However, as they are configured over the outside face of the perimetric side wall 30, they collapse inwards upon folding the suitcase, as will be discussed herein after. Furthermore, the perimetric side wall 30 can be configured with one or more storage pockets, at an outside face (designated 37A) and/or an inside face (designated 37B) of the perimetric side wall 30.

The perimetric side wall 30 is further configured at bottom portion at the outside face thereof with one or more support pieces 66, whereby at the expanded position of the suitcase 10, when placed at its upright position, it is supported by the wheels 48 and said one or more support piece 66, maintaining the suitcase level and stable. Though one or more support pieces 66 are made of rigid material, at the collapsed position of the suitcase they are fully received within the space of the suitcase and do not project or interfere.

In order to render the suitcase stability and maintain a substantially rectangular shape at its expanded position, one or more rigid support boards, collectively designated 70, are articulated at inside portions of the back shell 12 (seen in FIGS. 5A to 8). The rigid support boards 70 are made of non-pliable material, and are articulated at an inside face of the perimetric back wall 20 (or to the inside face 19 of back wall 18) through a flexible connecting pivot 72 (FIGS. 7A and 7B), wherein at the expanded position said rigid support boards 70 are be disposed flush against corresponding portions of the perimetric side wall 30. The support boards 70 are detachably attachable to inside face of the corresponding the perimetric side wall 30 through a detachable fastening mechanism, e.g. a hook and pile fastener (Velcro™), snap fasteners, etc.

A bottom rigid support board 70 extends at a bottom base of the suitcase 10, and is configured such that at the collapsed position said bottom support board 70 is disposed substantially parallel to the back base 18 and flush against the inside face 19, and at the expanded position said bottom support board 70 is disposed substantially normal to the back wall 18 and flush against a corresponding inside bottom portion of the perimetric side wall 30. Likewise, additional support boards (top and side support boards) are be configured, at a top base and side walls of the suitcase 10, and are configured such that at the collapsed position said additional support board is disposed substantially parallel to the back base, and at the expanded position said support board can be disposed substantially normal to the back wall and flush against corresponding inside top portion and side wall portions of the perimetric side wall 30.

At the expanded position the one or more support boards reinforce the flexible perimetric side wall and impart the suitcase, at the expanded position, with stability and secure the overall rectangular shape of the suitcase 10.

An important feature of the suitcase according to the present disclosure is the ratio of thickness between the expanded position and the fully collapsed position of the suitcase 10. Thus, the arrangement is such that the planar footprint of the front shell 14 is slightly greater than a planar footprint of the back shell 12, whereby at the collapsed position (FIGS. 1A-1C and 3A to 3E) the perimetric front wall 26 accommodates the perimetric edge 34 of the perimetric back wall 20, and wherein the thickness T of the suitcase 10 at the collapsed position corresponds with a height H) of the back shell 12 and a thickness t of the front base 24.

The term footprint refers to the planar size of the shell members. It is thus noticeable that the front shell 14 is larger than the back shell 12, and at the collapsed position at least a portion of the perimetric back wall 20 is enveloped by the perimetric front wall 26, giving rise to a space S extending between an inside face 19 of the back base 18 and an inside face 29 the front base 24, said space having a height h substantially corresponding with a height of the perimetric back wall 20, and further wherein at the collapsed position said space S entirely accommodates the perimetric side wall 30, as well as all other components discussed hereinabove, e.g. inside portion 50B member of wheel supports, longitudinal recess 65, etc. At the collapsed position the perimetric edge 34 of the perimetric back wall 20 substantially bears against the inside face 29 of front base 24.

The expanded position of the suitcase gives rise to an expanded storage space S′, extending between inside face 19 of the back base 18 and an inside face 29 the front base 24, with the perimetric side wall 30 fully expanded, wherein said expanded storage space S′ has a thickens corresponding with the accumulated height of the perimetric back wall 20 with the height of the perimetric front wall 26 and the width of the perimetric side wall 30.

Collapsing the suitcase 10 from its expanded position into its collapsed position, takes place by detaching the one or more support boards 70 from the inside face of the perimetric side wall 30 and folding said support boards 70 inwards, in direction of arrows 79, deposing the support boards 70 against the inside face 19 of the back wall 18. Then the perimetric side wall 30 can be folded inwardly into the space S′ and then the two shells 12 and 14 are pressed against each other until the fully collapsed position is obtained, wherein the perimetric edge 34 of the perimetric back wall 20 substantially bears against the inside face 29 of front base 24. Deploying the suitcase 10 into its fully expanded position takes place in a reverse sequence, namely, first the two shells 12 and 14 are displaced away from one another causing the perimetric side wall 30 to fully span and stretch out, whereupon the one or more support boards 70 are flipped outwards (in a direction opposite arrows 79), securing the support boards 70 to the inside face of the perimetric side wall 30, whereby the suitcase 10 is ready for use.

According to one particular example, the overall thickness of the suitcase, at its expanded position, can conform with the guidelines set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for cabin baggage/hand luggage/carry-on luggage size, defining a maximum thickness (depth) of 25 cm (10 inches), whereas at the collapsed position the thickness can be configured not to exceed about 6 cm. This, however, is a particular example and it is appreciated that the disclosure applies to any size of suitcase. 

1. A suitcase comprising a back shell and a front shell, both of which being made of a rigid material; the back shell is configured with a substantially flat back base and a perimetric back wall extending upwards from the flat back base, and the front shell is configured with a substantially flat front base and a perimetric front wall extending upwards from the flat front base; a flexible perimetric closed-loop side wall of the suitcase is attached along one of a back edge and a front edge of the flexible perimetric side wall to one of a perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall and a perimetric edge of the perimetric front wall, respectively, with the other one of the back edge and the front edge of the flexible perimetric side wall being articulated to an articulation portion of the other of the perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall and perimetric edge of the perimetric front wall, the flexible perimetric side wall comprising a sliding closure along a reclosable portion that extends along the edge of the flexible perimetric side wall that is articulated via the articulation portion, the sliding closure extending along said entire edge of the flexible perimetric side wall excluding the articulation portion; the suitcase is configurable between an expanded position and a collapsed position, wherein at the collapsed position the perimetric front wall accommodates the perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall and wherein the thickness of the suitcase at the collapsed position corresponds with a height of the back shell and a thickness of the front base.
 2. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the front shell is larger than the back shell, and at the collapsed position at least a portion of the perimetric back wall is enveloped by the perimetric front wall, giving rise to a space extending between an inside face of the back base and an inside face the front base, said space having a height substantially corresponding with a height of the perimetric back wall, and further wherein at the collapsed position said space accommodates the perimetric side wall.
 3. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein one or more rigid support boards are articulated at inside portions of the back shell, wherein at the expanded position said one or more rigid support boards are disposed flush against corresponding portions of the perimetric side wall.
 4. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein a rigid bottom support board extends at least at a bottom base of the suitcase, and is configured such that at the collapsed position said bottom support board is disposed substantially parallel to the back base, and at the expanded position said bottom support board is disposed substantially normal to the back wall and flush against a corresponding bottom portion of the perimetric side wall.
 5. The suitcase of claim 4, wherein at least one additional support board is configured, at a top base of the suitcase and is configured such that at the collapsed position said additional support board is disposed substantially parallel to the back base, and at the expanded position said support board can be disposed substantially normal to the back wall and flush against a corresponding top portion of the perimetric side wall.
 6. The suitcase of claim 5, wherein the one or more support boards are detachably attachable at portions thereof to an inside face of the corresponding the perimetric side wall and the one or more support boards are articulated to the back shell near a perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein at the collapsed position the perimetric edge of the perimetric back wall substantially bears against the inside face of front base.
 9. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein a planar footprint of the front shell is slightly greater than a planar footprint of the back shell.
 10. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the flexible perimetric side wall is folded inwards into a space extending between an inside face of the back base and an inside face the front base at the collapsed position.
 11. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein at least a pair of rear wheels is articulated near a rear bottom portion of the back shell, wherein a base of the wheels is disposed at the inside face of the back base, said base being lower than the height of the perimetric back wall.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein a handle is configured at least at one location of the perimetric side wall, said handle being stored within the space at the collapsed position.
 14. The suitcase of claim 1, further comprising a telescopic handle, said telescopic handle configurable between a retracted position and an extended position, the telescopic handle mechanism comprising one or more telescopic rods disposed flush with the back base, and a handle which at the collapsed position is stowed within a depression configured at a top base of the back shell.
 15. The suitcase of claim 14, wherein the one or more telescopic rods are received within longitudinal recesses configures at an outside face of the back base.
 16. The suitcase of claim 14, wherein the one or more telescopic rods are fully received within received within the longitudinal recesses and substantially do not project from an outside face of the back base.
 17. The suitcase of claim 14, wherein the one or more telescopic rods are attached to an inside face of the back base, and projecting through an opening at a top base of the back base.
 18. The suitcase of claim 14, wherein the longitudinal recesses are disposed within the space defined at the collapsed position therefrom.
 19. The suitcase of claim 14, wherein one or more ground support pieces are configured at one or more locations of the perimetric side wall, near front edge portions thereof.
 20. The suitcase of claim 14, wherein the height of the perimetric side wall can be extended by a zipper.
 21. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the inside face of the one or both of the back shell and the front shell can be configured with a liner.
 22. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein one or both of the front base and the back base can comprise one or more closable openings, facilitating access into the space of the suitcase.
 23. (canceled) 